NRL: Injuries open door for Moon

Joel Moon has been restored to the Warriors lineup for this weekend's clash with the Knights. Photo / Getty Images

Brent Tate's broken jaw has provided an NRL lifeline for out-of-sorts back Joel Moon, who returns to the Warriors side to face the Knights in Newcastle on Sunday.

Moon, who has bounced around between centre and five-eighth this season, has twice been dropped to the Vulcans this season after some indifferent displays, the last of which came in the 50-6 humbling by the Tigers in round 12.

However, Tate's injury, which is expected to rule him out for four to six weeks, opened the door for Moon to return for what shapes as a must-win match.

Moon gained his recall ahead of Siuatonga Likiliki, the impressive youngster who made his only NRL appearance against the Eels last season.

Another contender, Patrick Ah Van, was ruled out after suffering a knee injury playing for the Vulcans in his first game back from a broken jaw. Ah Van is expected to be out for two to four weeks. Ah Van and Tate join a casualty list that includes Steve Price (heel), Jacob Lillyman (foot), Brett Seymour (leg), Sam Rapira (knee) and Elijah Taylor (knee).

"It has been the story of our season so far, not just losing players to injury but losing key members of our squad," coach Ivan Cleary said.

"All we can do is dig in and work our way through this."

Cleary was impressed with his side's effort in Sunday's 22-20 defeat by the table-topping St George Illawarra Dragons.

"There was a lot to like about the things we did against the competition's best side so far this season. Our job is to keep working hard and things will turn."

The 12th-placed Knights will be without the key figure of Kurt Gidley, with the New South Wales captain stood down ahead of next Wednesday's second State of Origin match.

NEWCASTLE

Wes Naqaima
Akuila Uate
Junior Sa'u
Adam MacDougall
James McManus
Jarrod Mullen
Scott Dureau
Ben Cross
Isaac De Gois
Dan Tolar (c)
Zeb Taia
Cory Paterson
Matt Hilder

WARRIORS

Lance Hohaia
Kevin Locke
Joel Moon
Jerome Ropati
Manu Vatuvei
James Maloney
Isaac John
Jesse Royal
Aaron Heremaia
Russell Packer
S Mannering (c)
Ukuma Ta'ai
Micheal Luck

Newcastle: Con Mika, Cameron Ciraldo, Richie Fa'aoso, Mark Taufua.

Warriors: Ian Henderson, Ben Matulino, Jeremy Latimore, Lewis Brown.

EnergyAustralia Stadium, 4pm Sunday